The man accused of shooting 20-year-old Kevin Lee Cole to death earlier this month at a Mooresboro home no longer faces a murder charge, according to the district attorney's office.

Mathew Anthony Moore, 26, was arrested after Cole was found on Moore's back porch with two gunshot wounds.

District Attorney Rick Shaffer said the murder charge against Moore was dropped after meeting with detectives and reviewing evidence.

"I came to the conclusion that Moore killed the decedent in self-defense," Shaffer said in an email.

He said detectives shared his believe that the evidence supported the claim.

"Moore indicated that the decedent came to Moore's house and pulled a gun and shot at him," Shaffer wrote. "A struggle ensued over the gun."

Shaffer said Moore shot Cole once following the fight over the gun. Cole got up and came toward him and Moore shot again, Shaffer wrote.

He said the physical evidence was consistent with Moore's version of facts.

"The investigation also established a motive for the decedent to act as reported by Moore," Shaffer wrote. "I decline to disclose the information concerning motive at this time; however, it was verified by the investigation."

Cole had lived in Forest City. Sheriff Alan Norman said earlier this month the shooting altercation was drug-related.

He said Cole had recently faced a drug charge in Rutherford County.

Norman said neither Cole nor Moore had been in trouble with the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office in the past.

Reach Rebecca Clark at 704-669-3344 or rclark@shelbystar.com or follow on Twitter @TheStarRebecca.